Non-Crimp Fabric Composites

Non-crimp fabric (NCF) composites are reinforced with mats of straight (non-crimped) fibres, giving them such advantages as strength, ease of handling and low manufacturing costs. Non-crimp fabric composites provides a comprehensive review of the use of NCF composites, their manufacture and applications in engineering.Part one covers the manufacture of non-crimp fabrics, including also topics such as structural stitching and automated defect analysis. Part two goes on to discuss the manufacture of non-crimp fabric composites, with chapters covering such topics as deformability and permeability of NCF. Part three focuses on the properties of NCF composites, with chapters on stiffness and strength, damage progression and fatigue. Finally, part four covers the applications of NCF composites, including chapters on the aerospace and automotive industries as well as wind turbines and helicopter applications. The book concludes with a discussion of cost analysis of NCF composites in engineering applications.With its distinguished editor and international team of expert contributors, Non-crimp fabric composites is an essential reference for composite manufacturers and structural and mechanical engineers in industries using NCF composites, as well as academics with a research interest in the field. - Provides a comprehensive review of the use of NCF composites, their manufacture and applications in engineering - Reviews the manufacture of non-crimp fabrics, including also topics such as structural stitching and automated defect analysis - Examines the properties of NCF composites considering stiffness and strength, damage progression and fatigue

Contributor contact details Introduction Part I: Manufacturing of non-crimp fabrics Chapter 1: Production of non-crimp fabrics for composites Abstract: 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Warp-knitted non-crimp fabric (NCF) 1.3 Weft-knitted NCF 1.4 Non-crimp woven fabrics 1.5 3D woven and non-interlaced NCF 1.6 Fixation by adhesion 1.7 Comparison of production technologies 1.8 Future trends 1.9 Acknowledgments Chapter 2: Standardisation of production technologies for non-crimp fabric composites Abstract: 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Classification and standardisation of non-crimp fabric (NCF) production methods 2.3 Outstanding patents of existing machines for the production of NCFs 2.4 The 'Hexcel patent' - EP 0972102 B1 2.5 Product patents in the production of NCFs 2.6 Immobilisation of adhesive on the surface of semi-finished textile products (DE 102008004112 A1) Chapter 3: Structural stitching of non-crimp fabric preforms for composites Abstract: 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Threads for structural stitching technology 3.3 Stitching technology and sewing machines 3.4 Quality aspects for structural stitching 3.5 Applications and future trends Chapter 4: Understanding and modelling the effect of stitching on the geometry of non-crimp fabrics Abstract: 4.1 Introduction 4.2 General parameters of the fibrous plies 4.3 Geometry of the stitching 4.4 Distortions of fibres in the plies 4.5 Change of the geometry after shear 4.6 A geometrical model of NCF 4.7 Conclusion Chapter 5: Automated analysis of defects in non-crimp fabrics for composites Abstract: 5.1 Motivation 5.2 Quality characteristics of non-crimp fabric (NCF) 5.3 Quality analysis of NCF by digital image analysis 5.4 Future trends Part II: Manufacturing of non-crimp fabric composites Chapter 6: Deformability of textile performs in the manufacture of non-crimp fabric composites Abstract: 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Shear 6.3 Biaxial tension 6.4 Compression 6.5 Bending 6.6 Conclusion Chapter 7: Modelling the deformability of biaxial non-crimp fabric composites Abstract: 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Behaviour of fabric architecture on the shear and draping behaviour of non-crimp fabrics (NCFs) 7.3 Modelling strategies for NCF forming 7.4 Energy-based kinematic mapping 7.5 Finite element modelling of forming for NCFs 7.6 Future trends 7.7 Further information and advice Chapter 8: Permeability of non-crimp fabric preforms Abstract: 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Experimental permeability results 8.3 Geometric effects 8.4 Deformation and permeability 8.5 Conclusions 8.6 Acknowledgements 8.8 Appendix: nomenclature Chapter 9: Understanding variability in the permeability of non-crimp fabric composite reinforcements Abstract: 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Material characterisation 9.3 Permeability measurement 9.4 Modelling and simulation 9.5 Future trends Chapter 10: Modelling of the permeability of non-crimp fabrics for composites Abstract: 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Numerical simulation 10.3 Experimental validation 10.4 Parametric study 10.5 Influence of shear 10.6 Conclusion 10.7 Acknowledgements Part III: Properties of non-crimp fabric composites Chapter 11: Mechanical properties of non-crimp fabric (NCF) based composites: stiffness and strength Abstract: 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Materials and composite production 11.3 Test procedures 11.4 Mechanical properties of non-crimp fabric (NCF) composites 11.5 Mechanical properties of composites based on sheared MMCF 11.6 Damage development in B2 (0°/90°) laminates 11.8 Damage initiation in non-sheared and sheared materials 11.9 Conclusions Chapter 12: Damage progression in non-crimp fabric composites Abstract: 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Damage progression in non-crimp fabric (NCF) composites due to in-plane loading 12.3 Damage progression in impacted NCF composites 12.4 Conclusions Chapter 13: Fatigue in non-crimp fabric composites Abstract: 13.1 Introduction 13.2 Fatigue in non-crimp fabric (NCF) composites 13.3 Post-fatigue residual properties 13.4 Conclusions and open questions 13.